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jmrie 's review for:
The Emperor
by RuNyx
Any man that reminds me of Erwin Smith never fails to entice me like they are a tasty treat. After all, while men whose eyes run cold and their voices timbred and deep are awfully and addictively attractive, another form of addiction forms from men who knows how to lure people right into the center of their palms with only carefully chosen words and gestures. They are men who show admirable control despite the brewing storm within, knowing to choose their battles, and when it is the right time to strike and when to accept defeat. Perhaps that is why Dante Maroni caught my attention in ways I never thought he would.
The Emperor follows the story of Dante and Amara that spans from their childhood to their adulthood as they navigate their love in a world that can never accept it. While a five-year age gap does not usually bother me, it does when she is 13 years old and he is 18 years old. Any form of attraction born during those years are never genuine and RuNyx was treading on dangerous grounds because I honestly was looking forward to finishing the book. While true enough their world works differently, I still find things like that a bit manipulative. I am glad that as the years progress, nothing more intimate happens and the attraction started with Amara rather than Dante. His reciprocation to her gullible adoration to him might have triggered the feminist in me.
Delving into the mind of Dante after knowing him in two pervious books in the series only solidifies the fact that his intelligence is way more attractive than the fact that he is large (and by “large”, I mean in all proportions). Size difference between couples may be a secret guilty pleasure of mine, Dante’s intellect, his charisma, and the way he controls people more powerful than him is a stronger asset that cannot simply go unnoticed. A part of me is angry at how he handled the situation because in a world as dark as theirs, I longed to see him fight for them the same way Tristan fought for Morana. Tristan was not a pretender. Dante was. And pretenders work behind the backs of others. They slither in the ground before they wrap around the legs of their prey and bite. I wanted something more fierce, especially with what Amara had been through. However, looking back, I had to applaud RuNyx for showing the contrast between these two men. They fought differently because they molded themselves differently. One does not have to be better than the other.
Amara’s tragic past still makes me wish that her. I admire her strength the most because I cannot imagine what it’s like Her kindness outstands me. Though Dante and Amara are both at different ends of the spectrum, one being exposed to violence while the other cannot even hold a gun, both stand in equal footing. They both are strong and they both hold on to things that matter to them. There’s commitment, real commitment that is often a luxury in a world as dark as theirs. While it is painful to see such a relationship blooming, it is also fulfilling to witness how far they have gone. The way RuNyx writes her characters and how she integrates emotions will always never fail to amaze me.
I will have to say that this is a lot spicier than the two previous books with 3.5/5 rating. Tristan is a silent lover but Dante on the other hand, sings with praises and insults (the kinds that speaks of love) that raises the heat to a notch. The way he shows his passionate love with his undoubtedly talented tongue always makes me laugh. It’s unique and admirable. Good for Amara, really.
While the book was not a total disappointment, there were certain parts of which could have improved every aspect. Their story would have benefited had RuNyx dedicated time in building a more solid interaction which equates to a deeper emotional investment to the characters and their relationship (the way she did with Tristan and Morana).
While I admire RuNyx for her impeccable writing style and her ability to make my heart twitch and my stomach swirling with tingles, some lines were too cheesy. Perhaps it was too quick, too unnatural, or too unbelievable given that I had no time to catch-up with how swift they developed their feelings for each other. Sometimes, whenever Dante says something supposedly sweet, I find myself scrunching my nose in cringe.
As always, RuNyx continues the external plot she built upon in [b:The Predator|52871061|The Predator (Dark Verse, #1)|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576459099l/52871061._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73765405], however, like always, its execution fails its premise. I may not have seen the plot twist coming, I honestly can not care less. was unsatisfying. However, I love how she use the contrast
The book suffers from the same illness with The Predator. It ignites something in you but its light remains temporary. Give it a couple of days and you will struggle to remember the events.
Still, any story that catches my heart is a story worth to remember. Dante and Amara are characters I doubt I can ever forget, especially Amara, and that I believe it is enough.
The Emperor follows the story of Dante and Amara that spans from their childhood to their adulthood as they navigate their love in a world that can never accept it. While a five-year age gap does not usually bother me, it does when she is 13 years old and he is 18 years old. Any form of attraction born during those years are never genuine and RuNyx was treading on dangerous grounds because I honestly was looking forward to finishing the book. While true enough their world works differently, I still find things like that a bit manipulative. I am glad that as the years progress, nothing more intimate happens and the attraction started with Amara rather than Dante. His reciprocation to her gullible adoration to him might have triggered the feminist in me.
Delving into the mind of Dante after knowing him in two pervious books in the series only solidifies the fact that his intelligence is way more attractive than the fact that he is large (and by “large”, I mean in all proportions). Size difference between couples may be a secret guilty pleasure of mine, Dante’s intellect, his charisma, and the way he controls people more powerful than him is a stronger asset that cannot simply go unnoticed. A part of me is angry at how he handled the situation because in a world as dark as theirs, I longed to see him fight for them the same way Tristan fought for Morana. Tristan was not a pretender. Dante was. And pretenders work behind the backs of others. They slither in the ground before they wrap around the legs of their prey and bite. I wanted something more fierce, especially with what Amara had been through. However, looking back, I had to applaud RuNyx for showing the contrast between these two men. They fought differently because they molded themselves differently. One does not have to be better than the other.
Amara’s tragic past still makes me wish that her
Spoiler
perpetrators may rise from their graves just so Dante can kill them all again (on my behalf)Spoiler
to survive something so horrific, rise from that, be scarred and traumatized, and still have your heart unchanged.I will have to say that this is a lot spicier than the two previous books with 3.5/5 rating. Tristan is a silent lover but Dante on the other hand, sings with praises and insults (the kinds that speaks of love) that raises the heat to a notch. The way he shows his passionate love with his undoubtedly talented tongue always makes me laugh. It’s unique and admirable. Good for Amara, really.
While the book was not a total disappointment, there were certain parts of which could have improved every aspect.
Spoiler
Dante’s decision not to tell Amara may be logical but I found it a bit too heartless. You add in their harsh last meeting that seemed like a hook-up more than anything else and that lie, it makes him more of an asshole than I gave him credit for. Further, his sudden admiration to Amara seemed a bit too swift and unclear to me. I did not understand when it started for him. I guess Amara’s tragedy made him feel responsible which eventually lead unto a romantic pursuit for her, it still felt unnatural. The way their relationship transitioned through the years was too quick, dwelling on the act of telling rather than showing.While I admire RuNyx for her impeccable writing style and her ability to make my heart twitch and my stomach swirling with tingles, some lines were too cheesy. Perhaps it was too quick, too unnatural, or too unbelievable given that I had no time to catch-up with how swift they developed their feelings for each other. Sometimes, whenever Dante says something supposedly sweet, I find myself scrunching my nose in cringe.
As always, RuNyx continues the external plot she built upon in [b:The Predator|52871061|The Predator (Dark Verse, #1)|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576459099l/52871061._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73765405], however, like always, its execution fails its premise. I may not have seen the plot twist coming, I honestly can not care less.
Spoiler
The betrayal was also expected so itSpoiler
between the two women and sparks the debate on whether or not they were molded by their parents or their own decisions. I do not see her half-sister as an enemy. Rather, I see her as a victim. It’s depressing.The book suffers from the same illness with The Predator. It ignites something in you but its light remains temporary. Give it a couple of days and you will struggle to remember the events.
Still, any story that catches my heart is a story worth to remember. Dante and Amara are characters I doubt I can ever forget, especially Amara, and that I believe it is enough.